Beverage container drinking spout

ABSTRACT

A soft drink can which is unique in that it is provided with self-contained on-the-spot manually actuatable opening and dispensing means. The can body is provided on one side near its top with a marginally scored seal and is provided on its exterior with a stud-supporting free-turning key equipped with lateral cutting blades. These blades are lined up with and when turned they rip out the seal so that it can be dislodged to uncover the desired liquid discharging opening. Novel dispensing means is enclosed in the can and is cooperable with the seal and comes into play when the seal is removed. This means embodies a projectable spout which can be used for pouring or drinking at will.

United ;States Patent Inventor Clifford F. Bryant Smithfield, Ohio 55,485

July 16, 1970 Dec. 21, 1971 Josephine Harris .Smlthtield, Ohio a part interest Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee BEVERAGE CONTAINER DRINKING SPOUT [56] References Cited 1 UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,392,479 1/ I946 l-lombert 222/464 3,343,724 9/1967 Malpas 222/90 Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-Larry Martin" Attorneys-Clarence A. O'Brien and Harvey B. Jacobson ABSTRACT: A soft drink can which is unique in that it is provided with self'contained on-the-spot manually actuatable opening and dispensing means. The can body is provided on one side near its top with a marginally scored seal and is provided on its exterior with a stud-supporting free-turning key equipped with lateral cutting blades. These blades are lined up with and when turned they rip out the seal so that it can be dislodged to uncover the desired liquid discharging opening. Novel dispensing means is enclosed in the can and is cooperable with the seal and comes into play when the seal is removed. This means embodies a projectable spout which can be used for pouring or drinking at will.

PAIENTEnuEw m1 3528595 C/ifford 15' Bryant BY Mm W zzq BEVERAGE CONTAINER DRINKING SPOUT The invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in soft drink cans and containers which are equipped, usually at the top, with self-contained pull tabs and similar manually actuatable built-in seals and openers and has to do with an innovation wherein a marginally scored seal is provided in one side near the can top and which is released in an unusual manner to bring novel dispensing means into play.

Person conversant with the state of the art to which the present invention relates are aware that many and varied styles and forms of self-contained openers have been devised and used. Keeping in mind that it is common practice to provide a can sealing pull tab, which is usually built into the top of the can, it is common knowledge that such cans are handled by human hands, stored in dust and that the surfaces are traversed by insects and-rodents and when placed in the refrigerator or cooler for use are potentially dangerous. This is to say that when one pulls the tab and drinks directly from the can without washing or wiping the surfaces he runs the risk of unexpectedly subjecting himself to disease. If follows that an object of the present invention is to cope with this problem and to provide a can wherein the opening means is sanitary and facilitates germ-free pouring and drinking.

For background purposes and as generally indicative of the state of the art to which the present invention relates the reader, if desired, may refer to the container opening device disclosed in a patent to John E. Walsh U.S. Pat. No. 2,978,140 or to the internal dispensing tube adaptation disclosed in a patent to Louis J. Humbert US. Pat. No. 2,392,479. Many other patents wherein the dispensing means embodies an enclosed liquid elevating and dispensing tube or column could but need not be cited here.

Briefly one aspect of the instant concept pertains to the disk-like or equivalent seal which is normally closed and intact, and when dislodged, provides the desired can emptying opening. This seal has its marginal edge joined by a severable score line to the body of the can just below the level of the top wall of the can. More particularly, the seal is provided with an accessible exteriorly extending stud. A simple and practical 'seal severing and removing device is mounted for rotation on the stud and is manually rotatable and is provided with lateral suitably arranged cutting blades which are aligned and engageable with a score line which delineates the seal. The pointed ends of the cutting blades are adapted to line up with the score line and to penetrate the can body when the seal severing device is caught hold of and turned by hand. When the blades penetrate and puncture the can body the seal can then be forcibly pulled and dislodged and when removed, it provides the desired opening. Means is enclosed within the container and is cooperable with the seal and the opening and this means comes into play when the seal is removed for dispensing and emptying the contents of the container. g

In carrying out the principles of the overall concept the enclosed confined means is characterized by a vertically elongated liquid intake and elevating tube or conduit. The upper end of this tube is communicatively joined with an inlet port provided in a guide sleeve. This sleeve is open-ended and lined up with the removable seal. This guide sleeve serves to accommodate an inner elongated sleeve which is-described as a spout and which has a closed inner end and is provided intermediate its ends with an inlet opening which is alignable with the port or opening in the guide sleeve. There is an operating connection between the pullout seal and the closed end of the spout whereby to permit the outer open end of the spout to be projected through and beyond the opening in the can body to facilitate drinking directly from the spout or pouring the liquid into a glass or container if preferred.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like ts haqs qas ass jlwl FIG. 1 is a view perspective showing the beverage container or can constructed in accordance with the invention and ready for use.

FIG. 2 is a slightly enlarged view with parts in section and elevation taken on the plane of the vertical irregular line 22 of FIG. 1, looking the direction of the indicating arrows.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal detail view showing the enclosed dispensing and spout means in elevation, the manually turnable key in section and other parts in phantom lines.

FIG. 4 is also a fragmentary sectional detail view which shows the position, construction and relationship of the essential component parts after the seal has been dislodged and the outer end of the spout has been projected through the can opening for use.

FIG. 5 is a view in perspective showing the guide sleeve, the projectable spout and removable seal and associated component parts.

, The hole or opening, that is when it is made available, is provided in the upper side portion of the body and is designated by the numeral 16 (FIG. 4). This opening is normally closed by an intact disklike seal 18. The marginal edge portion of the seal is normally joined by an endless score line 20 as best shown in FIG. 3.

The manually actuatable seal severing and removing device is denoted, generally stated, by the numeral 22. More specifically this device is designated as a key and comprises a simple metal disk or the like 24 which has diametrically opposite portions bent outwardly to provide a pair of spaced parallel gripping flanges 26. The central or hub portion of the disk is mounted for rotation on an axial stud 28, that is a stud whose inner end is integral with the seal 18 (FIG. 5). The right hand or outer end of the stud is provided with a suitable assembling head 30. The central opening in the turnable key provides and constitutes a bearing and is freely rotatable on the headed end of the stud. This key is also provided with a pair of diametrically opposite triangulate or equivalent cutting blades 32 whose points are lined up and cooperable with the score line 20 in the manner brought out in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

When the seal 18 is intact as shown in these several views it is obvious that the pointed ends of the cutting blades are in readiness to traverse the score line, that is, when one desires to turn the key and to sever the seal for purposes of dislodgement and removal.

With respect "ha mile enclosed dispensing means it will be noted in FIG. 2 that this means is designated, generally stated, by the numeral 34 and comprises an appropriate depending or vertically elongated liquid elevating and dispensing tube 36. The lower end of the tube has a lateral intake branch which is fixed (soldered or sealed) and is ready for use as denoted at 38. The upper end portion 40 of this tube is communicatively joined to an intake port 42 formed in a median portion of the open-ended guide sleeve 44. This is to say the sleeve is fixedly mounted atop the discharge end of the tube and is oriented therewith in such a manner that the outer end "of the sleeve is in line with the potential opening 16. This guide sleeve serves to accommodatingly support a projectable relatively long inner sleeve 46 which is designated here as a spout. The outer end of the spout is open as denoted at 48 (FIG. 4) and the inner end is closed as at 50. The normal retracted position of the spout is that illustrated in FIG. 2 wherein it will be evident that the intake orifice 52 is in readiness to be registered or lined up with the port 42 when the parts are in the discharging relationship illustrated in FIG. 4.

As will be evident from FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 the liquid elevating and dispensing means 34 is normally enclosed within the confines of the receptacle portion of the container (FIG. 2). Likewise the cutting blades 32 carried by the manually rotatable key 22. are normally poised and lined up with the severable score line 20. If follows that by catching hold of the flanges 26 and turning the key 22 on the stub shaft 28 and exerting slight pressure toward the can body the cutting blades will puncture the can body and will free the closing seal 18.

At the same time the key is caught hold of and pulled in a direction from left to right it is then necessary to bring the spout means 46 into play. This is accomplished through the use of an appropriately narrow and thin spout actuating link 54. This link has an inner end portion 56 soldered or otherwise fixed axially to the closed end of the spout as perhaps best shown in FIG. 4. There is a restricted frangible portion at 58. The outer end 60 of this link is connected rigidly to the central axial interior surface of the removable seal 18. Adjacent to but spaced from the seal the link is provided with an appropriately shaped and enlarged finger-grip 62. Accordingly, when the spout 46 is pulled out to the projected position shown in FIG. 6 the link means comes into play to accomplish this projecting result for either drinking or pouring as the case may be. When the parts are in the position and relationship illustrated in FIG. 4 the user will catch hold of the grip 62 and impart a twist thereto. This twist will result in shearing the frangible restricted neck portion 58 whereby the link means, seal and key can be bodily detached. The outer marginal edge or flange 51 of the closed end constitutes a limit stop abutment and insures proper registration of the openings 42 and 52. It follows that the dispensing means is then ready to either enable the user to pour out the liquid by way of the discharge end 48 or to use the spout for direct mouth drinking purposes. It has been found necessary, as is to be expected, that it is essential to provide appropriate venting means. lt follows that a segmental portion 64 is provided and has a marginal edge portion joined by score line whereby when the segmental part is pushed in it will provide an appropriate venting hole 66. To facilitate accomplishing this result a pressure finger is provided as at 68, the same having one end anchored on the can top at 70. The free end portion of the finger is provided with a pressure exerting member 72. Therefore when pressure is exerted on the finger the segmental portion 64 is pushed in. Accordingly by examining FIGS. 1 and 2 in progressive relationship it will be evident how one accomplishes the venting result.

It is within the purview of the inventive concept to provide the closed flanged end 51 of the sleeve 46 with a pair of spaced parallel antiturning (sleeve-retaining) fins which are so located that they are adapted to slide on opposite sides of and straddle a relatively stationary keying rib which is fixed on the peripheral top surface of the guide sleeve (FIG. 3). Therefore, when the sleeve 46 is pulled and slid out to assume its drinking spout position (FIG. 4) and the finger-grip 62 is caught hold of and actuated, the sleeve 46 will not turn in an objectionable manner.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

I. A can-type container with self-contained opening and dispensing means for a beverage comprising; a hollow body having a bottom closing wall and a top closing wall, said body being provided on one side adjacent level of said top wall with a normally closed opening and an intact closing seal for said opening joined by a severable score line to said body, said seal having an exteriorly extending stud, a manually actuatable seal severing and removing device mounted for rotation on said stud and having cutting blades aligned and engageable with said score line and adapted to puncture and penetrate the can body by way of the score line and then traverse the score line in a manner to sever and thereafter forcibly pull, dislodge and bodily remove said seal, and means enclosed in the container and cooperable with the seal and the opening which comes into play when the seal is removed and for dispensing and emptying the contents of the container.

2. The container defined in and according to claim l, and wherein said stud has an outer end terminating in a head and constituting a journal, said device comprising a key which is spaced from and parallel to said seal and which is turnable on said journal, said key having lateral flanges providing fingergrips and said blades being located diametrically opposite each other and being disposed in a plane at right angles to the plane of said key.

3. The container defined in and according to claim I, and wherein said stud has an inner end which is axial to and joined with an axial central portion of said seal, said seal being discoidal and the outer end of said stud having an assembling and retaining head, said headed stud providing a journal, said device comprising a disk having an axial bearing journaled for free rotation on said journal, having a pair of opposed lateral flanges serving as finger-grips and constituting a key, said blades being disposed at diametrically opposite points and disposed at right angles to the plane of said key and seal, respectively, and when turned being in constant cooperative and severing alignment with said score line.

4. The container defined in and according to claim 1, and wherein the means which is enclosed in said container comprises a beverage elevating and dispensing tube having an intake end at its bottom which is adjacent said bottom wall and an outlet end at its top oriented with said opening and seal, a guide sleeve operatively mounted atop said outlet end and provided with a delivery port which is aligned and registrable with said outlet end, said sleeve being cooperatively aligned with said opening and seal, a pouring and drinking spout slidingly mounted in said sleeve and having an intake orifice which is designed and adapted to be communicatively registered with said delivery port, said spout being normally retracted and assuming an enclosed out-of-the-way position, and being adapted to be operatively projected through and beyond the opening when the seal is severed and opened.

5. The container defined in and according to claim 4, and wherein said guide sleeve functions as an outer sleeve and is fixedly secured atop said outlet end and is open at its respective ends, said spout comprising an inner sleeve, being of a length greater than the length of said outer sleeve, being closed at its inward end and open at its outward end and also being of and outside diameter slightly less than the diameter of said seal-closed opening,

6. The container defined in and according to claim 4, and, in combination, spout projecting link located in said spout and having a frangible inner end portion joined to and for sliding and pulling said spout outwardly through said guide sleeve, the outer end of said link being positively joined to an inner surface of said seal and having a finger-grip which is adapted to be caught hold of and manually twisted to disconnect the link, seal, and key for disposal.

7. A beverage can having a hollow body closed at the bottom and closed at the top, said top having normally intact pressure responsive air venting means embodied therein, dispensing means in said can embodying vertically elongated liquid lifting and dispensing tube having an intake at the bottom and having a right angularly disposed sleeve affixed to the top, said sleeve being open-ended and providing a guide, a portion of the body at one end of said sleeve being provided with a removable seal, means for detaching and removing said seal, a spout slidable in said sleeve and having a closed inner end to abut one end of the sleeve and provided intermediate its ends with a limit stop abutment.

8. The container defined in and according to claim 7 and means connected with and extending through said spout and sleeve in a manner to exert a pulling pressure on the spout to move the same to a dispensing position.

9. The structure defined in and according to claim 8 and wherein said spout is ofa length greater than the length of the guide sleeve. 

1. A can-type container with self-contained opening and dispensing means for a beverage comprising; a hollow body having a bottom closing wall and a top closing wall, said body being provided on one side adjacent level of said top wall with a normally closed opening and an intact closing seal for said opening joined by a severable score line to said body, said seal having an exteriorly extending stud, a manually actuatable seal severing and removing device mounted for rotation on said stud and having cutting blades aligned and engageable with said score line and adapted to puncture and penetrate the can body by way of the score line and then traverse the score line in a manner to sever and thereafter forcibly pull, dislodge and bodily remove said seal, and means enclosed in the container and cooperable with the seal and the opening which comes into play when the seal is removed and for dispensing and emptying the contents of the container.
 2. The container defined in and according to claim 1, and wherein said stud has an outer end terminating in a head and constituting a journal, said device comprising a key which is spaced from and parallel to said seal and which is turnable on said journal, said key having lateral flanges providing finger-grips and said blades being located diametrically opposite each other and being disposed in a plane at right angles to the plane of said key.
 3. The container defined in and according to claim 1, and wherein said stud has an inner end which is axial to and joined with an axial central portion of said seal, said seal being discoidal and the outer end of said stud having an assembling and retaining head, said headed stud providing a journal, said device comprising a disk having an axial bearing journaled for free rotation on said journal, having a pair of opposed lateral flanges serving as finger-grips and constituting a key, said blades being disposed at diametrically opposite points and disposed at right angles to the plane of said key and seal, respectively, and when turned being in constant cooperative and severing alignment with said score line.
 4. The container defined in and according to claim 1, and wherein the means which is enclosed in said container comprises a beverage elevating and dispensing tube having an intake end at its bottom which is adjacent said bottom wall and an outlet end at its top oriented with said opening and seal, a guide sleeve operatively mounted atop saId outlet end and provided with a delivery port which is aligned and registrable with said outlet end, said sleeve being cooperatively aligned with said opening and seal, a pouring and drinking spout slidingly mounted in said sleeve and having an intake orifice which is designed and adapted to be communicatively registered with said delivery port, said spout being normally retracted and assuming an enclosed out-of-the-way position, and being adapted to be operatively projected through and beyond the opening when the seal is severed and opened.
 5. The container defined in and according to claim 4, and wherein said guide sleeve functions as an outer sleeve and is fixedly secured atop said outlet end and is open at its respective ends, said spout comprising an inner sleeve, being of a length greater than the length of said outer sleeve, being closed at its inward end and open at its outward end and also being of and outside diameter slightly less than the diameter of said seal-closed opening.
 6. The container defined in and according to claim 4, and, in combination, spout projecting link located in said spout and having a frangible inner end portion joined to and for sliding and pulling said spout outwardly through said guide sleeve, the outer end of said link being positively joined to an inner surface of said seal and having a finger-grip which is adapted to be caught hold of and manually twisted to disconnect the link, seal, and key for disposal.
 7. A beverage can having a hollow body closed at the bottom and closed at the top, said top having normally intact pressure responsive air venting means embodied therein, dispensing means in said can embodying vertically elongated liquid lifting and dispensing tube having an intake at the bottom and having a right angularly disposed sleeve affixed to the top, said sleeve being open-ended and providing a guide, a portion of the body at one end of said sleeve being provided with a removable seal, means for detaching and removing said seal, a spout slidable in said sleeve and having a closed inner end to abut one end of the sleeve and provided intermediate its ends with a limit stop abutment.
 8. The container defined in and according to claim 7 and means connected with and extending through said spout and sleeve in a manner to exert a pulling pressure on the spout to move the same to a dispensing position.
 9. The structure defined in and according to claim 8 and wherein said spout is of a length greater than the length of the guide sleeve. 